As expected. I really want to see them give new extensions to Joe Haden and Vance McDonald. They are both only under contract for the next two seasons and Joe proved himself to me and McDonald finally turned the corner late in the year, 10 catches for over 100 yards in that playoff loss against a really great defense.

If they added a two year extension on to both of their contracts they could probably free up another $7-8 million by restructuring their 2018 base salaries and converting it to a bonus which would then be spread out over 4 years.

This is why I was not worried about the Steelers seemingly being strapped for money or doomed, in salary cap hell. Whatever. This is how the Steelers work their contracts. They can easily free up and create $30 million in salary cap space by reworking their core players contracts.

With Ben, he has said that he wants to play another 3 years, he is only under contract for the next two seasons. He makes a base salary of $12 million this year and has a roster bonus of $5 million.

They could takes all of that $5 million roster bonus and say $5 million of that base salary and restructure it. If he signs a one year extension then they could prorate that $10 million over the now last 3 years of his deal. So, $10 million minus that $3.33 million would free up $6.67 million.

They can restructure Big Al, Antonio Brown, etc. Marcus Gilbert will probably be given an extension once we lose Hubbard. They could lessen his cap number this year if they give him that extension.

Even with the franchise number to Bell and having to absorb the Shazier 5th year option, they are not going to be in 'hell' at all, salary cap or otherwise.

_________________We have got to come up with a better name for 'sub package defense'!! Any ideas?